Page:Folk-lore - A Quarterly Review. Volume 18, 1907.djvu/46

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There is one story of a very good king who has conscientious objection to compulsory military service. Unlike his modern imitators, he carries out his principles to their logical issue, and allows any one who wishes to steal his goods. He and his court, who obediently do as he tells them, are therefore buried up to the neck in the earth beside some dead bodies; but confident in their righteousness, they do not despair. In the night a troop of jackals attack them, but the king's conscience draws the line of passive resistance at a jackal. The king takes fast hold of a jackal's paw with his teeth, and the beast struggles so hard that he pulls up the king out of the pit wherein he had been digged. The king goes back to his palace, and finds his way to the usurper's bedside, where he stands sword in hand and awakens the usurper. The latter, seeing that he is in the king's power, says he will never do it again, and they swear eternal friendship. This is a story which would rejoice the heart of Mr. Stead and Mr. Haldane. With it may be compared the Volsung Saga.

Besides these complete stories there are many episodes